State Senator Stepp (R-Racine) announces she will not for re-election

[sybylla]

From her PDF press release
http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Oct05/Oct3/1003steppelection.pdf

I’d like to thank the citizens of Racine County for giving me the honor of serving as your elected State Senator for the last few years. It is with mixed emotions and a good deal of contemplation that I announce my decision not to run for re-election.

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Anyone from that corner of the state know if there is a good Dem stepping forward for this seat?

[zbdent]

1. Hmm, maybe someone found something dead and smelly

in the skeleton closet?

[ewagner]

2. Isn't that a pretty "red"

district?

Does a Democrat stand a chance in that district?

[sybylla]

3. Depends on how you define "red".

Most would say I live in a pretty "red" district (Zien and Suder, making "red" the nicest thing you can say about my yahoo neighbors), yet the people in that same district will vote overwhelmingly for Kind, Obey, Feingold and Kohl.

I don't need to explain to such a veteran of politics the benefits of campaigning for an open seat. I can't believe we don't have a shot in just about every district even against an incumbent. It all depends on how the campaign is played and who controls the media - if there is any to speak of.

I've heard we have a fine challenger to take on Dave Zien this year. He will be announcing on October 15. I have a huge amount of faith that he can win, even in this "red" district.

NGU, ewag.

[Jimbo S]

4. No! It's a swing

Held by a Dem for many years. The city is blue, the area west to I-94 is red.

Got to get this one back badly.

[sybylla]

5. Update - from the Racine Journal Times - 1 dem, 2 goppies to run

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2005/10/04/local/iq_3710881.txt

....State Rep. John Lehman, D-Racine, announced early last month that he would challenge Stepp next year and leave his seat, which has been held by Democrats for at least 30 years.

Within weeks, County Board Supervisor Van Wanggaard said he will run as a Republican for Lehman's seat.

And on Wednesday, McReynolds will announce whether he will run for Stepp's 21st District Senate seat. His announcement will be at 4 p.m. at Charcoal Grill & Rotisserie, 8300 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant.

McReynolds, who was Racine County sheriff from 1995 to April 2003 when he became the county executive, said "this is happening, and this is happening fast" but wouldn't confirm Monday if he was in the race "and I'm not confirming that I'm not."

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